New study by Vancouver Film Commission shows that the total production spend by the film & TV industry has more than doubled since 2012
New research by the Vancouver Film Commission (VFC) corroborates the staggering growth similarly observed by Creative BC. According to the data from our independent study, the total spend of B.C.’s film & TV industry has more than doubled in the last six years, from an estimated $1.6 billion in 2012 to $3.8 billion in 2017 – an increase of 135 per cent.
These numbers prove that Vancouver and the region remain firmly established as North America’s third largest film & TV production centre, and the largest and busiest production hub in Canada. This success is set to continue playing a fundamental role in Vancouver’s economic future.
Vancouver is proud to be the anchor of the region’s film & TV industry. Thousands of professionals form the bedrock of Vancouver’s world-leading VFX and animation sector, and thousands more comprise the world-class film & TV crews, state-of-the-art studios and equipment vendors, bolstered by the celebrated talent that built global confidence in our city’s capacity to deliver world-class productions.
The Vancouver Film Commission warmly congratulates all who have played a role in the 12 per cent growth experienced in this sector in 2017. We look forward to continue building upon these research insights to ensure the future success and resilience of this industry.
Summary of Findings: Total Direct Spend of BC’s Film & TV Industry
- The VEC has calculated that the total direct spend of the Film, TV, VFX and Animation industry in 2017 is $3,761,212,191, or approximately $3.8B. This is an increase of 11.9% since 2016.
- The total payroll for the Film, TV, VFX & Animation industry in BC in 2017 was $2,061,125,168
- The VEC has also used this data to calculate the historical growth of the industry. Since 2012, the industry spend has grown by 135% (from $1.6B to $3.8B) – more than doubling in the last five years alone
- No accurate ‘league table’ of the world’s top Film & TV production centres currently exists. However, based on media reports, this new total places Vancouver, BC as the 3rd largest production centre in the Americas, behind California and New York State – but ahead of Georgia and Ontario.1
- All the above are direct spend numbers, and do not include any indirect or induced multipliers. As such, the total economic impact of the industry is considerably higher (as calculated using standard economic multipliers)
Overview of Methodology
- The VEC has used publicly available data, including data obtained through WorkSafe BC, to calculate the total payroll for the Film, TV, VFX & Animation industry in BC (as defined by Classification Units 763025 and 763024). Note this does not include TV Broadcasting
- The VEC has estimated the ratios of payroll to total spend for both industry sectors using existing CAVCO data, through consultation with industry experts, and financial & HR staff at leading Film, TV, VFX & Animation companies
- This methodology has been validated and approved by PwC and their team of global media experts
1 ‘13% of top-grossing films shot in Canada: report’, Playback Magazine, May 2017
David Shepheard
